Liposuction in Houston, TX
Sometimes even the fittest individuals can struggle to shrink stubborn fat deposits. Having excess fat can create a lack of definition and make it difficult to feel confident in certain clothing styles. Liposuction is a cosmetic procedure that uses a thin, hollow tube or cannula to remove localized body fat and sculpt a more proportionate figure. Dr. Patronella performs liposuction to enhance your body, restore your self-esteem, and give you the slim, sculpted silhouette you have always wanted.
Who Is a Candidate for Liposuction?
The ideal candidates for liposuction have realistic expectations for the procedure, are in generally good health, and have good skin elasticity. If you are within 30 percent of your ideal body weight, you may be a good candidate for liposuction—a healthy lifestyle before surgery always makes your results more advantageous. You may also be the right candidate if you have been unsuccessful in losing fat from specific areas despite dedication to a healthy lifestyle.
Obese patients are often not the best candidates for this procedure, as liposuction is not designed for weight loss. If liposuction alone is not an ideal fit for your needs, Dr. Patronella will introduce and educate you on alternatives, such as a tummy tuck or comprehensive body contouring treatment. Patients with poor skin elasticity or sagging skin are often better candidates for body contouring procedures that target these concerns, such as a body lift, an arm lift or tummy tuck.
How Is Liposuction Performed?
Dr. Patronella performs liposuction as an outpatient procedure at his state-accredited private surgery facility. He favors the tumescent liposuction technique for the precise contouring it allows him to achieve with minimal blood loss.
Tumescent fluid is injected into the treatment site to make it easier to move the cannula (a thin, hollow tube through which fat is suctioned) through the fat. The fluid constricts blood vessels, which minimizes the risk of excessive blood loss during surgery and bruising after treatment. In addition, the tumescent fluid causes the fat to swell, allowing Dr. Patronella to more easily target and remove fat to create the desired proportions.
What Will Liposuction Recovery Be Like?
After surgery, the patient is moved to a recovery area for observation. Patients typically return home the same day of their liposuction treatment, although some may require an overnight stay for observation. Most swelling is resolved within 8-10 weeks but mild roller coaster swelling often occurs for up to six months. Compression garments will be provided to help reduce swelling and bruising. Any discomfort can be managed with prescribed pain medication. To prevent postoperative bleeding, patients should avoid bending and heavy lifting for a few weeks. Most patients can go back to work within one week of surgery.
What Areas Can You Treat with Liposuction?
Abdomen and Waists
Get rid of your unwanted “love handles,” “muffin top,” or “lower pooch” for a flatter, leaner abdomen. Liposuction is often performed alongside the True Form Tummy Tuck® to remove loose skin.
Buttocks
Enhance the shape of your butt as fat is strategically removed with this sculpting procedure. Liposuction can also be combined with a Brazilian Butt Lift to remove fat where it is unwanted and transfer it to other areas to improve shape and volume.
Hips
Make wide hips narrower for slimmer, more proportionate curves.
Neck
Appear thinner in pictures and younger in real life by removing a double chin or stubborn neck fat.
Arms
Wear summer clothing with confidence by slimming and contouring your arms. Liposuction has exceptional results when combined with arm lift surgery to remove loose arm skin.
Thighs
Avoid chafing of the inner thighs and eliminate “saddlebags” from the outer thighs while you get the sexy legs you desire. Liposuction can also be combined with a body lift, thigh lift or other post-weight loss procedure to slim the upper legs.
Knees and Ankles
Get rid of flabby knees and the dreaded “cankles” to reveal more shapely lower legs.
What Will My Liposuction Results Be Like?
Patients can expect to notice the results of their liposuction once most of the swelling and bruising subside. The effects of liposuction are long lasting, given that the patient maintains a healthy and active lifestyle.
Is Financing Available?
Dr. Patronella believes that every woman should be able to afford to have the body she desires, so he offers financing options to his patients. You may discuss your financing options during your initial consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions About Liposuction
What are the risks associated with liposuction?
Complications associated with liposuction are uncommon, especially when the treatment is performed by an experienced, board-certified plastic surgeon. However, there is no way to eliminate risk during a surgical procedure. Liposuction complications may include a change in sensation, bleeding, infection, loose or rippled skin, or contour irregularities. During your consultation with Dr. Patronella, he will discuss his approach to minimizing the likelihood of such occurrences.
How much weight will I lose after liposuction?
The amount of fat removed during liposuction is dependent on your body before surgery and the surgeon’s technique when performing the treatment. Liposuction is known to eliminate a significant amount of fat cells in a treated area.
Technically, liposuction can remove up to about five liters of fat, which converts to roughly 10 pounds. Still, this is not always necessary nor guaranteed to achieve your desired look. Although a key component to contouring, fat removal does not equate to weight loss, and liposuction should not be treated as a weight-loss procedure.
Will liposuction remove cellulite?
Liposuction is known to remove fat and tighten contours; however, it is not primarily used for removing cellulite. Dr. Patronella will describe the improvements you can expect and recommend options to diminish the appearance of cellulite.
Are results permanent with liposuction?
Results are typically permanent unless you gain a significant amount of weight. Any weight gain will likely be distributed differently than if you had not undergone liposuction.
How much does liposuction cost?
Liposuction costs vary based on the amount of treatment applied and multiple other factors. To get an idea of pricing, please visit Dr. Patronella’s price list. This list is comprehensive and includes the cost of surgery, anesthesia, and the operating room fees. Dr. Patronella offers financing options to his patients, which you can review on his pricing page and discuss with Eva, his surgery and patient coordinator, by emailing her at eva.cadena@acps.com.
Interested in Liposuction in Houston, Texas?
Dr. Patronella is a world-renowned board-certified plastic surgeon with years of experience in the Houston community and abroad.
If you are interested in liposuction, Dr. Patronella works with you to carefully formulate a strategy for getting rid of your unwanted fat and explain each liposuction option thoroughly. To schedule your in-office or virtual consultation, fill out our contact form or call (713) 575-1996.
